Obituary of Sallie Anne Fanning

Our mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, Sallie Anne Fletcher Fanning, left this earthly life and gained her heavenly angel wings on February 22, 2021. She was born November 21, 1941 in Wauchula, Florida to D.W. and Sarah Elizabeth Fletcher. Sallie attended Williston High School through her Junior year, but received her diploma from Plant City High School in Plant City, Florida. After graduation, she married Jay Matthews and they had two daughters, Montie and Annie. Together, they owned and operated Saddle Creek Riding Stables and pursued a professional rodeo career. Additionally, she worked in the family-owned businesses Fletcher Western Store and Fletcher Feed Store. Sallie’s love for horses continued as she raced many Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses down the track. But her true passion was for barrel horses. And many Great Barrel Horses did she make! Later, Sallie married Beasley McElfresh and they had a son, Leroy, and made their home in Alabama. This is where she instilled her passion for barrel racing in her two young daughters. As time went on, Sallie worked for Winston Pro Rodeo Scoreboard where she met and married John Forrest (Bronc) Fanning and had a daughter, Patty. Throughout the years, her family and barrel horses remained her passion. So much so that she was still competing at the age of 78 years old and won a championship buckle at her last barrel race on her great horse Trigger! Sallie was preceded in death by both her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Montie and husband David Ledford of Talala. David’s Mother, Coeta Ledford. Sons Michael Mills and wife Anna of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Mitchell Mills and his partner, Jacob Jizrawi of San Francisco, California, Matthew Ledford and girlfriend Kelsey Guess of Dallas, Texas. Daughters Katie Parrish and husband Nathan of Argyle, Texas, Caroline Ledford and Matt Simmons of Houston, Texas. Daughter, Annie and husband Rasy Forrest of Lipan, Texas. Daughters, Ashley Karner and husband, Chad of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Raylynn Barrett and husband Rick of Copan, Oklahoma, Sidney Lee Forrest of Lipan, Texas. Son, Leroy McElfresh and wife Betsy of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Son Chad McElfresh of Claremore, Oklahoma and Daughter, Katey McElfresh of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Daughter, Patty Fanning and wife Tonya of Bronaugh, Missouri. Sallie has one brother, Daniel Fletcher and wife, Linda of Lakeland, Florida, Sons Walt Fletcher and daughter Amber, Randy Fletcher and wife Nadine and daughter, Amelia, and son Gil, of Lakeland, Florida. One sister, Pansy Cowder of Plant City, Florida, Daughter Wendi Andrel and husband, Kent, Sons Matthew Carroll and Andrew Carroll of Plant City, Florida. Son, Chip Cowder and wife Stacey of Plant City, Florida. Daughters, Shaylynn Stewart and husband, Trevor and daughter Harper of Lakeland, Florida, Gracey Cowder of Plant City, Florida. Son, Wyatt Cowder and fiancé Paige of Plant City, Florida. Sallie is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Hadley and Echo Mills, Grayson Simmons, Gage and Kobe Karner, and Remington Barrett. And her beloved animals, Trigger, Sugar, and the “lion” Kitty.